This paper presents a descriptive analysis of the impact of tuition fee increases in England on the full-degree mobility of undergraduate students from the European Union. First, we investigated whether the increase in tuition fees reduced the number of EU students in English higher education institutions. Our analysis shows that, on average,…

This article discusses one part of the data from a larger research project that sought to identify factors that secondary school teachers of design and technology (D&T) in England felt may have contributed to the decline in entries at GCSE level within the subject. This study was designed to ensure the teacher's voice could be heard. Research…

There are international concerns about decreasing rates of chemistry degree enrolment. This article seeks to understand students' reasons for not/choosing to pursue a chemistry degree, drawing on (i) open-ended survey responses from a sample of 506 students in England aged 21-22 who had studied advanced level ("A level") chemistry at age…

In the United Kingdom, the number of mature students studying in higher education is diminishing. This is also the case within the subject of art and design. This article reports on a project "Mature Students Matter," a study that aims to widen participation in art and design education within a small specialist university. The approach…

In this paper John Butcher challenges policymakers and the English higher education sector to act urgently to address the decline in part-time higher education. Although the drop in part-time student numbers has been well-reported in a series of quantitative studies, the problem persists. The dramatic reduction in part-time learners…

The decline in the numbers of students learning foreign languages in secondary schools in England, together with the low and decreasing number of top grades in these subjects, has raised concerns among educationalists, employers and politicians in the last few years. The aim of this research was, therefore, to investigate the uptake of and…

University students who enrol in foreign language (FL) programmes are motivated by various needs, but in particular the need to achieve communicative fluency, which generally requires interaction with others. This study therefore explores the notion of 'interactivity,' as conceptualised in second language learning theories and how it might be…

This paper uses Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) data on applications and entries to full-time undergraduate courses to examine the changing flows of students across the boundaries of the four countries of the United Kingdom (UK), over a period (1996-2010) that embraces parliamentary devolution. It asks whether the emergence of…

In the past decade or so there has been a well-documented decline in language take-up among secondary school pupils of Years 10 and 11 in England (14-16-year-olds, also referred to as Key Stage 4 in the national curriculum for England and Wales) and there have been fewer UK-domiciled undergraduates or postgraduates studying for a languages degree…

Examines the effects of declining financial support and enrollments, pressures for accountability and community participation, and other social demands on the schools in England and Wales. (Author/IRT)

Harlow, one of Britain's New Towns, attracted numerous young families in its early years, prompting development of a large school system with good career advancement opportunities for young teachers. As the town's population aged, enrollment fell drastically, necessitating major school reorganization to meet significantly changed student and…

Examines the implications of decreasing pupil populations on educational standards, humanpower use, building policy, and curriculum in England and Wales. The government's use of declining enrollments to justify cuts in education expenditures is discussed. The author advocates giving more attention to long-term planning to improve educational…

The author points out two of the problems involved in merging two schools: determining which buildings to close and melding the two staffs, who may have different philosophies and procedures. She also notes that these mergers present opportunities for reorganizing space, rethinking curriculum, and gaining access to additional resources. (SJL)

The author explores a number of issues which he feels will affect English schools, particularly comprehensive secondary schools, in the 1980s: standards (mixed ability teaching, testing, articulation); declining enrollment; parent/community participation in school governance; and external social change. Related trends in Europe and the United…

The author describes the proposed closure, which parents are attempting to prevent, of a small neighborhood school. Their argument is that parental involvement is the most significant single factor of success in school. (KC)